The Unknown
10 March 2006
by O'donna Dean and Nate Hansen

Takako felt cold, as a cool, wet wind blew past her. She could feel her hair being whipped around her face. She could only feel it because she was surrounded by an inky, black, darkness. She was alone, and she had no idea where she was.

In the distance a low rumble of a growl started. Takako strained her eyes, trying to see what could be making the noise. No use, her eyes would not adjust to the darkness. She timidly, stretched out a hand, to see if she could find a wall or something that might give her a clue as to where she was. Nothing.

The rumbling growl started to move. Takako could tell by the sound that it was not coming closer but it was starting to circle her. This truly frightened her. She was out in the middle of somewhere, without any kind of protection.

Takako reached for her scroll satchel, and it was not there. Fear was starting to build in the pit of her stomach. She tried clearing her mind. There were some spells she could call forth without her scrolls, so she chose one. When she asked her Fire Kami to help all she got was silence. Nothing happened. The Fire Kami would not answer her devoted servant's plea. She tried calling on an Earth Kami. Silence. What was happening?

The distant growl started to get louder and closer. Takako started to back away from the sound. She had no idea where she was going, or where it would take her but she no longer felt being still was a good idea.

When she started to move, the creature roared and started coming at Takako even faster. Takako's instinct to survive took over and she started to run. She wanted to put as much space between them as she could but it was catching up with her.

All of a sudden, Takako lost her footing as the ground suddenly slopped downward. Takako hit the ground hard and could feel a sharp pain erupt in her chest. She could not think about the pain though because the creature behind her was still coming. She stood up and started loping along as fast as she could muster. Her chest burned and the pain was unbearable but the thought of that thing behind her catching up terrified her even more.

The ground started to level out once again and Takako was able to pick her speed up a little more. The unknown behind her was not gaining on her anymore but Takako knew she would be unable to keep this up for much longer. She would soon have to stop and take whatever punishment the creature would lay upon her.

All of a sudden, Takako ran into something and she was thrown to the ground. Takako looked up even though she knew she wouldn't be able to see anything. There staring down at her was a pair of golden eyes. The creature that had been chasing her stopped but it continued to growl and moan.

"Takako, why?" the voice came from the area of the golden eyes.

"Why? Why what? I do not understand. What is going on? Who are you? What are you? What do you want with me?" Takako's voice started to rise to a scream.

There was a flash of lightning and in that flash, Takako was able to see what stood before her. A Dragon. Another flash, and with this one Takako could see its claw coming out for her. Takako closed her eyes and screamed.

"Takako?" Nikana exclaimed as Takako screamed and sat up in the bed. Nikana grabbed for his wakizashi, fearing that someone had entered their room without him knowing. What he saw and heard worried him.

Takako held onto her knees and rocked herself back and forth and as she did all she kept saying was "no" over and over again. Tears poured from her eyes.

Topless and with wakizashi in hand Nikana, stalked the perimeter of the room ready to spring at anything that moved. Satisfied that they were alone Nikana looked over at Takako – she was still rocking back and forth on the sleeping mat, holding herself and mumbling something. She was still weeping and her body shook. Nikana placed his blade on the ground near the sleeping mat and grabbed an extra blanket, throwing it across his own shoulders and embracing Takako, cocooning them both up in the large blanket. Takako resisted Nikana's embrace, still trying to move back and forth. Nikana carefully tightened his hug and held Takako close to him. Takako mumblings were broken by a sob and she turned around to face Nikana. She held him tight, still shaking with a chill that would not subside. Nikana rubbed Takako's back and shoulders as he whispered to her.

"I am here Takako. You are safe." Nikana tried to console Takako but it was a long while before her sobs seemed to slacken and her body stopped shaking.

Takako looked at Nikana's chest where her head had been resting and started to wipe away the rivulets of tears she had cried.

"Takako-san," Nikana said quietly, Takako looking up at him. Nikana kissed her on the eyelids and moved his way to her lips where a long kiss hung between them. "We have all the time you need, we can take our time. I'm not going anywhere." They sat together in silence holding each other as the hours slid away.

"It is an odd turn of events when I am comforting you after a dream," Nikana finally said, convinced Takako would not be going back to sleep.

"Hai, it is my love," Takako's voice cracked. Takako cleared her throat and continued. "I fear it is more than a dream – a premonition perhaps. I felt powerless and alone." Takako quickly spoke of the terrors of her dream, not wanting to linger too long on the experience again. Takako paused after her retelling, her eyes briefly meeting Nikana's then looking away. Her lips parted almost imperceptibly as if she wanted to say something but thought better of it.

"I can wait a long time – I won't be letting you go until you figure it out." Nikana's embrace tightened lovingly.

"Are you tempting me to test your patience?" Takako asked in mock innocence as a small smile spread across her lips. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. Takako's voice took on a serious tone, "You must think me hopelessly delicate and ill suited to these new dangers that face us..." Takako's breath caught in her chest as she awaited Nikana's answer.

"I know well, more than most, the vulnerable state of heart and mind when dreaming. We are ourselves but in some fashion our feelings are not our own. I've found that the true test of character is not what we do or feel in our dreams but what we commit to do because of them. I have and still do feel the fear you felt in your dream. I want to control our destiny in this world but I know that it may not be possible. I must still learn to accept this. Perhaps I never will. I take some comfort in the knowledge that in the end the celestial order will be preserved and that if we are honorable and true we will have a place together in the halls of our ancestors."

Takako looked up and kissed Nikana's cheek.

Nikana stared at her in silence considering his next words. "These last hours I have taken the time to consider any course of action we might take. We are too much in the dark but we have begun to understand a little of those forces that are forming around us. But, our ignorance of the whole picture breeds fear and uncertainty. Hopefully Ridachi-san's investigations will further reveal the truth of our circumstances. Perhaps we should approach Togashi Ayoku-san and come to an understanding – if she is the one who was in our room. Normally great caution and slow maneuvering is advised in courtly struggles but my heart tells me that we must act swiftly. I am not sure though – we walk the blades edge." Nikana stopped and smiled at Takako who was still cuddled in his arms.

"I think we should bring this to Tetsujin-san. If the Dragon are involved in this and he knows anything he will help us. He is a friend and wouldn't keep anything from us."

"Very well then, we will speak with Tetsujin in the morning."